Lennert took Mandy and their 3 fur babies to their local park, the same place they had their first date. While the intimate details about what was said will remain between the happy couple, we will spill some beans... Yes, he got down on his knee! and she said "yes" several times! They will not have a big wedding. Instead, just a very intimate "court house"/"town hall" wedding with 15 of their closest friends/family. It is with great sadness that there will not be a big wedding. However, Lennert's family is small and Mandy's family is in America. Maybe Mandy will get a bunch of her girls together and have some brunch at their house just to celebrate LOVE.... Lennert does not want a bachelor's party or anything :(

The end of 2023, everything was lining up for the couple career wise. Lennert (a Belgian Production Controller) was planning to move into a new role as a Quality Assurance Specialist at the small US Army Base in Belgium. At the same time while working for the Department of Defense, Mandy had the opportunity to take a position overseas for 3-5 years and then return to her job working at Boeing in Pennsylvania. Mandy applied for the opportunity with US Army and was offered an interview. She felt really good about it because the job closed on her dad's birthday, his first birthday since his passing. After she was offered the job and accepted.... it was the same time Lennert learned he was accepted for his promotion in the same office. He started just two weeks before Mandy landed in Belgium... (We can all thank Mandy's Dad for doing all of that!). On 12 Feb 2024, Mandy found the strength to leave her adult sons for the first time, and flew to Belgium with her youngest son, Xavier. They landed on 13 Feb and was allowed to rest that day. On 14 Feb, VALENTINE’s DAY, Mandy had her first day at work. Unbeknownst to her, she walked in with her JETS sweatshirt on and Lennert said to their co-workers “Wat een Masjien!”, which translates to “what a machine”… a local dialect here. A few minutes later, their co-worker introduced them- "Mandy, this is Lennert", she shook his hand and turned away to get back to in-processing. (in that moment he thought she had an attitude and was arrogant. Which was a turn-on for some reason, lol. Truth is: she was just jet-lagged. However, he fell in love with her attitude and still loves it to this day. Which prevents a lot of fights lol. When she get mad about something and he smiles, she can’t help but smile... fight over...) And THAT is how they met...

They became very close, for the first time in a long time, he felt needed... and she needed someone. They became best friends. Whenever she talked about her dad, and she started to cry (Her dad was only gone one year at this point), he would grab some tissues from his desk or pocket… He introduced her to her favorite Belgian chocolate and always put a piece on her desk for her… and whenever her glasses were dirty, he gave her glass cleaning wipes. He always gave her whatever she needed, whether she knew it or not. Strictly platonic, they started looking forward to Mondays. It was then that Mandy could share with him all that she did on the weekend while exploring her new home. Work was pleasant for both of them because of their newfound bond. Then they found out Lennert would be going to Poland for approx. 2 weeks in the end of April for a Defender Mission with the U.S. Army. This is when they realized they cared about each other more than just friends. Still, it was just a thought. Single for several years, Mandy was not going to change that, especially not for some man in another country because to be together we would one day need to be married and that was something he never wanted. Also, he never wanted children and here Mandy was… an American (lol)… a mom of 3+1… a purple haired liberal... Here Lennert was... guy who was simply not a family man. On paper these two were simply better as friends. However, Mandy found herself sad on her way to work the first Monday that he was gone. She said to herself... “who is going to give me tissues when I'm thinking about my Dad? Who is gonna give me glasses wipes? And my favorite chocolate?”. Sure she could do all of that on her own, but she was gonna miss her best friend. And he was going to miss always being there for her and her smile. She gets to her desk and guess what!? There was a pack of tissues, her favorite chocolate, & glasses wipes! To top it off, there was a simple sticky note that had a smiley face & a heart. She knew in that moment, if she will ever love again, he would have to be EXACTLY like Lennert. During his short time in Poland, they did something they never really did before… they started texting each other & A LOT, simply talking about country music songs… he was new to country music but really falling in love with it. He would find songs that he really liked and share them with her and she would share songs she grew up listening to. Over text… miles & miles (rather kilometers & kilometers) away, they fell in love. By his last day in Poland, they knew they wanted to be together. It was a CRAZY jump but they didn’t just want to be together… they needed it, like a unavoidable magnet drawing them together. It was unbelievable… but nothing ever felt more right in either of their lives. When he came back to Belgium he called her- “Can I come see you for just 5 minutes?” she said “of course”. Then her heart started beating super fast, she was more nervous than ever. What would she do when she saw him? They were in love! But they never even hugged before! Ten minutes later, the text - “I am here”. She walk outside, shaking.. so nervous… they hugged… she never felt more safe in her life. He was her person and he was real! Still shaking, and feeling the nervousness from him as well, she took his hand and guided him in the home (he has been there several times, helping with the stove, jammed windows, and AC but always platonically). They went to the living room & stopped in the little 3-step stairway, where they shared their 1st kiss. (this is the spot they like to hang mistletoe during the holiday season). Besides the brim of his hat hitting her forehead briefly, it was perfect! That was 4 May 2024. They have been inseparable since...

What does together mean? It means NON-STOP together. They have lived together, worked together, and just been inseparable basically since they met! Since May 2024, they have spent less than 2 weeks apart (She went to Turkey with her son Julian, etc.) Sounds crazy to be with someone 24 hours a day. However, for them, it has been wonderful! They feel whole when together and miss each other when apart. They never fight (and very few minor disagreements) and they have really enjoyed blending their cultures. They can’t even imagine life without each other! She teaches him how to be a tourist on his own continent. They have gone to 8 countries (3 continents) together… Belgium, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Egypt. (I went to Turkey with Julian only). The plan is to get married in July 2026. Then they will move to the USA in Feb 2029. After spending 3-5 years in Belgium, they will go to the USA for 3-5 years. Then the plan is to move back to Belgium for good. (All just tentative plans... anything can happen).

https://youtu.be/e5t1XD950Us?si=AbBON0D7qZv8zHwZ If there were no words, no way to speak I would still hear you If there were no tears, no way to feel inside I'd still feel for you And even if the sun refused to shine Even if romance ran out of rhyme You would still have my heart until the end of time You're all I need my love, my valentine All of my life I have been waiting for all you give to me You've opened my eyes And shown me how to love unselfishly I've dreamed of this a thousand times before In my dreams I couldn't love you more I will give you my heart until the end of time You're all I need my love, my valentine And even if the sun refused to shine Even if romance ran out of rhyme You would still have my heart until the end of time 'Cause all I need is you, my valentine Oh, you're all I need my love, my valentine

https://youtu.be/p605P9l-JUw?si=nxq0FUPApwcc_BKh She talks about the future like she's flippin' through a magazine Finds the beauty in the thrown away and broken things Gets excited about all my crazy dreams Got every sunset that she's ever seen memorized Saves them away for a rainy day or stormy night The sky is brighter, lookin' at it through her eyes I don't remember Life before she came into the picture Brought the beauty I was missin' with her Showed me colors I ain't never seen She took chances With every wall I built, she saw a canvas I thank God every day for how He made her My life was black and white, but she's the painter She reminds me that it ain't too late to start again Fine is good, but you need some blue every now and then How'd I live so long without her reckless touch? I don't remember Life before she came into the picture Brought the beauty I was missin' with her Showed me colors I ain't never seen She took chances With every wall I built, she saw a canvas I thank God every day for how He made her My life was black and white, but she's the painter I don't remember The life before she came into the picture Brought the beauty I was missin' with her Showed me colors I ain't never seen She took chances With every wall I built, she saw a canvas I thank God every day for how He made her My life was black and white, but she's the painter She's the painter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRJ0lpu6XaU I never had no one that I could count on I've been let down so many times And I was tired of hurtin' So tired of searchin', 'til you walked into my life It was a feelin' I'd never known And for the first time, I didn't feel alone You're more than a lover There could never be another to make me feel the way you do Oh, we just get closer I fall in love all over every time I look at you I don't know where I'd be without you here with me Life with you makes perfect sense You're my best friend You're my best friend Oh yeah, you stand by me and you believe in me like nobody ever has When my world goes crazy, you're right there to save me You make me see how much I have And I still tremble, when we touch And oh the look in your eyes when we make love You're more than a lover There could never be another to make me feel the way you do And oh, we just get closer I fall in love all over every time I look at you And I don't know where I'd be without you here with me Life with you makes perfect sense You're my best friend Ooh, whoa-oh, you're my best friend Uh huh, you're more than a lover There could never be another to make me feel the way you do And oh, we just get closer I fall in love all over every time I look at you And I don't know where I'd be without you here with me Life with you makes perfect sense You're my best friend Ooh, ooh, you're my best friend (my best friend) oh yeah Ooh, ooh, ooh, you're my best friend (my best friend) Ooh, ooh, ooh, my best friend

Stopping in Greece, Montenegro, Sicily, Croatia, and Slovenia! - All places neither have been!

We have all we need, these are "wants" just for those who asked :) https://www.amazon.com.be/hz/wishlist/ls/1D92NP2ZWPPVW?ref_=wl_share

We have all we need, these are "wants" just for those who asked :) https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/37I0SK8G7CM72?ref_=wl_share

Venmo - @Mandy-Romanek CashApp - $MandyRomanek

XOXOXOXO